Academic Catalog 2021-22

Accounting (MS)

The Master of Science in Accounting with Data Analytics (MSA) is a one-year intensive program targeting recent college graduates and working professionals who are interested in a career change or acquiring new skills in accounting with a focus on accounting analytics. The goal of this program is to equip graduates to prepare for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam and enable them to use analytics to formulate accounting solutions for businesses.

Students enrolled in this one-year ‘hybrid’ program will learn accounting, auditing, taxation, and other subjects with an emphasis in analytics. At the end of the program, students will complete a practicum where they will apply these tools and concepts to real-world business problems. Graduates will be prepared for careers such as accountant, auditor, tax analyst, and financial analyst in accounting firms, financial institutions, companies, government and non-profit organizations.

The MSA is suited for graduates with a strong quantitative background, as well as business professionals who want to change careers and working professionals who are interested in developing their skills in accounting analytics.

The MSA is a 12-month program that consists of twelve 3- unit courses including a practicum for a total of 36 units. Students will take two courses per term, which is over a seven-week (two-month) period.

Graduate degree candidates must maintain a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 ('B') or higher in the graduate program and may have only two final grades of 'C' in their coursework at the time of graduation. Any grade below 'C' (2.0) will not satisfy the graduation requirement for a graduate degree. Students may repeat courses in which they received a grade of 'C' or below. If a student repeats a course in which they received a grade of 'C' or below, the most recently earned letter grade will determine whether a degree requirement has been met. All the letter grades for all the registered courses during the graduate program will be listed on the transcript.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  1. Apply accounting principles to operate at the decision-making level
  2. Incorporate data analytics to devise accounting solutions for organizations.
  3. Employ data visualization techniques to communicate accounting data effectively.
  4. Identify accounting risks, frauds, and ethical issues to formulate appropriate strategies for businesses.
  5. Demonstrate skills necessary to take the CPA exam.

Required Courses

MSA 5601HY: Intermediate Financial Accounting I

3.00 units

MSA 5602HY: Intermediate Financial Accounting II

3.00 units

MSA 5603HY: Business Law, Ethics, and CSR Financial Reporting

3.00 units

MSA 5604HY: Accounting Analytics & Visualization

3.00 units

MSA 5605HY: Advanced Managerial Accounting

3.00 units

MSA 5606HY: Financial Statement Analysis

3.00 units

MSA 5607HY: Federal Taxation of Business Entities

3.00 units

MSA 5608HY: Auditing Analytics and Risk Management

3.00 units

MSA 5609HY: Forensic Accounting and Analytics for Fraud Detection

3.00 units

MSA 5610HY: Advanced International Accouting

3.00 units

MSA 5611HY: Government and Not-for-Profit Accounting

3.00 units

MSA 5620HY: Accounting Practicum

3.00 units

Total Credit Hours: 36